"Death in the Tall Grass"

Unsung war Hero – Maj. Lalith Jayasinghe

It must be said that one of the key reasons for the LTTE suing for peace and declaring a unilateral ceasefire in 2001 was the terrible toll the deep penetration units of the Army led by officers of the caliber of Lt. Col. Jayasinghe were exacting from the LTTE leadership.

His last rites were performed in Avissawella last Monday amidst one of the largest gathering of mourners ever seen in that town. What was most significant was that a large number of Tamil estate workers were among the mourners

Last Sunday we were the first English language newspaper to announce the death of war hero Maj. Lalith Jayasinghe (posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel). He was killed in action on November 26, while taking part in a daring deep penetration operation behind enemy lines, with a seven man team some 28 kilometres north of Oddusudan.

The LTTE web sites have already announced that Lt. Col. Jayasinghe was the officer responsible for killing a number of their top leaders in daring operations, including founder of the Sea Tigers and its air wing Col. Shanker (alias Sornalingam) in September 2001, its intelligence leader Charles killed in January this year, and Sea Tiger Deputy Leader Kangai Amaran in June 2001.

It must be said that one of the key reasons for the LTTE suing for peace and declaring a unilateral ceasefire in 2001 was the terrible toll the deep penetration units of the Army led by officers of the caliber of Lt. Col. Jayasinghe were exacting from the LTTE leadership.

His last rites were performed in Avissawella last Monday amidst one of the largest gathering of mourners ever seen in that town. What was most significant was that a large number of Tamil estate workers were among the mourners.

Though Lt. Col. Jayasinghe struck fear into the Tiger leadership with his daring attacks, with ordinary Tamils amidst whom his family lived in Avissawella, he was a very popular figure. His father is the estate clerk of Farnham Estate. In this estate out of 460 families, their family was one of only ten Sinhala families there, all others being Tamil. When ever he came home, he would give a ride in his vehicle to any estate employee found walking, despite him being a gazetted officer.

Lt. Col. Jayasinghe’s brother is also in the Special Forces and had been just discharged from hospital after recovering from a battle field injury, and on his way to the battle-field once again, when this tragic news was received.
Risking
The two brothers had been risking their lives for the country on numerous occasions; yet anyone visiting Lt. Col Jayasinghe’s house easily realises he had not made anything for himself, for he and his recently married wife, who is now five months pregnant. lived in a modest rented house.

From his father’s EPF funds he had managed to buy a half a building plot and he had mortgaged that half to a bank to buy the other half. When he got married ten months ago, they had tried to renovate the estate house given to his father as his quarters for the wedding, but the Estate Superintendent had objected to any improvements.

We reproduce below excerpts of the report on Lt. Col Jayasinghe given by his American Course officer after he successfully completed the Infantry Officers’ Basic Course (IOBC) at Ft Benning Georgia, USA, having been handpicked for it by Army Commander Lt. Gen Fonseka.

“Capt Lalith performed exceptionally well, bringing credit to both himself and his country and earning the respect of his peers. CPT Lalith was a remarkable student. He is the most physically fit international student I have had the pleasure of working with. Additionally, he volunteered to compete in the company ‘Iron Man’ competition where he was placed 10th out of the 34 toughest lieutenants in the company.
Dedication
“His dedication and commitment to his profession were evidenced by his superior work ethic. . He always looked for ways to improve himself, his peers, and his Army, upon returning. CPT Lalith excelled in all phases of the course. This was evidenced by his outstanding performance in several leadership positions during platoon operations. He passed the Army Physical Fitness Test, placed 10th out of 156 lieutenants during the 5 mile run, and also placed in the top 10 during the company 2.5 mile equipment run. Throughout the course CPT Laith shared his experience with his peers and aided their development as leaders.

“It has been an honour being CPT Lalith’s instructor and I would proudly serve with him as an ally in the future, and enjoy learning from him.
I highly recommend CPT Lalith for further attendance at U.S. Army Schools “.

Best course reports
Retired Brigadier C.S.N.B. Mudannayake, who is now employed by the US embassy in Colombo, and who had a hand in selecting Jayasinghe for the Ft Benning course, told his friends in an e-mail that in his 11 years of defence work at the embassy, Jayasinghe came back with one of the best course reports he had seen during that entire period.

Brig Mudannayake who attended the funeral on Monday said the entire Awissawella town was shut down by the public as a mark of respect to this brave officer.

Calendar

The Eelam bubble

The Tamil diaspora still talk of winning the "Eelam" war, of seeing "the light at the end of the tunnel of a mythical Tamil state" , even as six elite army divisions strategically lay siege to the Wanni heartland. As it is there is a light, that of a fast-approaching express train that would steam roll the "Eealm" myth to the sun baked Wanni floor forever.

Smell Of Victory

Smell that? Napalm, son. Nothing in the world smells like that.I love the smell of napalm in the morning.One time we had a hill bombed, for 12 hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one enemy body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory. Someday this war's gonna end.
Apocalypse Now(1979)